Trading Ryan Reaves was a tough pill for Rangers fans to swallow but like most pills, it’s for future well being. The Rangers are going to be in a serious cap crunch in future seasons and with where Reavo is in his career, he needs to play if he wants to keep the thing going. This led to Chris Drury sending Reaves to the Minnesota Wild, putting him in a good position to consistently play and obtaining a future fifth round draft pick in the process. While it’s impossible to know exactly what the Rangers get as a result of this trade until the 2025 draft happens, I decided to take a walk down memory lane and see what kinds of players the Rangers have picked up in the fifth round of previous draft years. Let’s start way back in Kreider’s draft year of 2009 and work our way up.
2009 127th & 140th Overall: Roman Horak, Center and Scott Stajcer, Goaltender
The Rangers made two selections in the fifth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft as a result of a trade that sent Al Montoya and Marcel Hossa to Arizona in exchange for Fredrik Sjostrom, Josh Gratton, David LeNeveu and a fifth round pick that ended up being Center Roman Horak. Looking back on it, not a terrible trade despite the fact that Montoya was a fifth overall pick in his day. However, the Rangers picked up a decent little package for a career back-up goalie and a veteran towards the end of his playing days. Anyway, Horak was drafted out of one of the Czech leagues and despite being a pretty average size, he played the game with some fire. Horak never suited up in a New York Rangers or Rangers affiliate jersey as he was dealt along with two second round picks for Tim Erixon and a future fifth that we’ll talk more about later. (Of course one of those second rounders was Markus Granlund who was probably the best player involved in that trade but what are ya gonna do?)
With their own selection in that year's draft, the Rangers picked up Scott Stajcer, a goaltender from Owen Sound of the OHL. At the time, Stajcer was noted to be a hard-working goalie who played his angles well and had respectable numbers in the OHL. Stajcer would spend the next two seasons in Hartford with the Rangers AHL affiliate but never really found his stride. Most of those years he spent as a minor league back-up at best and eventually fell to the ECHL where he never played more than 23 games in a season. The most recent stats available for Stajcer seem to be from a Canadian University League so while a career in professional hockey didn’t really work out for him, it appears he may have gone back to college and is hopefully doing well in whatever he is doing today.
2010 130th Overall: Jason Wilson, Left Wing
With the 130th overall selection, the Rangers choose another Owen Sound product, Jason Wilson. Wilson was a teammate of Scott Stajcer as well as former teammate of once upon a Ranger, Michael Del Zotto. A 6”2, left handed shot power forward, similarly to his Owen Sound teammate wouldn’t really have much of a professional career. He suited up in one game with the Connecticut Whale (remember that year?) and spent a good chunk of years playing around the ECHL. The 2010 draft was very disappointing for the Rangers as the only good thing that really came from it was Jesper Fast however, Jason Wilson was far from the biggest disappointment in that draft class for the Blueshirts. 2010 will more notably be remembered as the draft where the Rangers picked Dylan McIlarth over the likes of Cam Fowler, Vladamir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Evgeny Kuznetsov… alright I’ll stop there. *sigh*
2011 134th & 136th Overall: Shane McColgan, Center and Samuel Noreau, Defenseman
Another year of multiple fifth round picks as the Rangers received an additional pick as part of the aforementioned trade with Calgary that brought in Tim Erixon. That pick ended up being right handed center Shane McColgan. Like Roman Horak and Jason Wilson, McColgan never amounted to much at the professional level, however he did have quite the promise leading up to his draft year. In three seasons with the Kelowna Rockets, McColgan averaged 66 points per season, making him just shy of a point a game player. He appeared in five games with the Connecticut Whale before returning to the WHL the following season where he once again, put up point a game kind of numbers. From there, he took a hard fall off and that would be the end of his professional days. Like Stajcer, it appears that he played in a Canadian University League and now it looks like he’s coaching U16/18 hockey in New Jersey so that’s cool.
With the Rangers own 2011 fifth rounder, the team drafted Quebec Native, Samuel Noreau. Noreau was a 6”5, right handed shot defenseman so say less right? While his size and stature were enough to get the attention of Rangers management, his offensive abilities were also of interest. With five goals in his draft year, it was his ability to average at least a shot on goal per game that contributed to his style of play. However, in what is becoming a consistent theme with Rangers fifth round picks, especially around this time, he only played a handful of games at the AHL level and never sniffed the National Hockey League. He did have a bit of a longevity in the East Coast league but nevertheless, another miss for the Rangers.
2012 142nd Overall: Thomas Spelling, Right Wing
Thomas Spelling is a very interesting story. There wasn’t much size, shape or flash to his game but it was noted in his draft year that he was a solid transition player with a decent shot that made some noise in the 2012 World Juniors with Team Denmark. Despite a seven game stint in the Swedish Elite League, Spelling may have never made the jump to North America, but has played every year to date in the Denmark League which includes 25 points in 37 games just last year. While he may go down as yet another miss in the entry draft for the Rangers, there’s something to be said for the guy who has been able to continue playing all those years.
2013: No selection
The Rangers actually traded this pick to Nashville in exchange for the draft pick they used to select Thomas Spelling in 2012. The Rangers original 2012 draft pick was sent to Chicago in exchange for legend and former NHL All Star John Scott. Nashville used this pick to draft Teemu Vivihalme who spent a couple seasons with the Toronto Marlies but now plays in one of the Finnish Elite Leagues.
2014: 122nd, 140th, 142nd Overall: Richard Nejezchleb, Right Wing; Daniel Walcott, Left Wing; Tyler Nanne, Defenseman
Lots to breakdown here. The 2014 NHL Entry Draft was and may go down as one of the most significant drafts in franchise history. The Rangers made a LOT of trades going into this draft, hence why they ended up with three picks in the fifth round. One of these picks ended up being Richard Nejezchleb, which they acquired from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Casey Wellman. As for the other, they actually moved down in the draft sending their own fourth round pick to Tampa in exchange for the two fifths that ended up being Daniel Walcott and Tyler Nanne. Now surely you’re asking yourself how this draft was significant for the Rangers and no, it wasn’t because the Rangers moved their own fifth rounder to San Jose in part of the Ryan Clowe deal. It was because of a trade with Washington that also had them moving down in the draft. The Rangers sent a third rounder to the Caps that ended up being Nathan Walker (First Australian to make it to the NHL, neat) in exchange for two fourth round picks. Those fourth round picks? Defenseman Ryan Mantha, woooo and a goaltender by the name of Igor Shesterkin. Thanks Washington!
Anyway, needless to say this draft will be remembered as the draft that got the Rangers their new franchise goalie and certainly not for any of these picks. Richard Nejezchleb had a couple big seasons in the WHL but like many names on this list, never translated it to the AHL. He had one goal in thirteen games with the Wolf Pack then fell into the ECHL and eventually overseas with that coming to an end in 2019. Daniel Walcott is currently still active and probably the most successful pick up to this point. Though he only played in one game with the Wolf Pack, he found quite a home in Syracuse of the AHL as part of the Tampa Bay Lighting organization and since 2015 has been a pretty consistent contributor there. While he may have only played in one NHL game so far in his career, he did make history as being part of the first all black line to play a game in the National Hockey League which is pretty awesome. Tyler Nanne is another right handed defenseman and University of Minnesota product. He had decent numbers at the U but again, never seemed to translate his game anywhere else. He played 17 games in the ECHL last season but no longer appears to be active, resulting in this round at least being mainly a wash for the Blueshirts.
2015: No Selection
The Rangers wouldn’t select in the fifth round of this year’s draft as they traded the pick to Vancouver in exchange for defenseman Raphael Diaz. Not the most significant move either way but that pick ended up being forward Adam Gaudette who is still active and a bit of a more impactful player than Diaz ever really was. Oh well, right?
2016: 141st Overall: Tim Gettinger, Left Wing
A name that is still within the organization today, 6”6 power forward Tim Gettinger. Gettinger put up some pretty impressive numbers with the Soo Saint Marie Greyhounds of the OHL and is one of the few names on this list that have been able to translate that success to the American Hockey League. In his first season after his draft year, Gettinger put up 27 points in 64 games with the Wolf Pack and was even called up to the Rangers in four games. Throughout the years, Gettinger has proven to be a consistent contributor in the American league and a trusted call up to the Rangers when needed. In 16 games with the Rangers over the years, he’s only registered one assist but the window of his career is definitely far from shut. After all, he is a former Soo Greyhound so maybe the Rangers could trade him to the Leafs at some point before his contract expires? There’s definitely still some gas left in Gettinger’s tank, I just think there’s too much depth within the Rangers for him to really make that next step and stay there. This could be one of, if not his final year with the organization but as long as he signs with another team, he could very well crack the fourth line of a team that needs pieces.
2017: 145th Overall: Calle Sjalin, Defenseman
The only left handed defender to go to the Rangers in the fifth round throughout this time frame, Calle Sjalin is a steady, two way defender who has just recently made the transition to North America from his home country of Sweden. After a career year in the Swedish league where he registered six goals and sixteen assists, Sjalin signed with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL where he has currently played eleven games with this season. He is under an entry level, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes so if he continues to develop with Charlotte, he could love to be an option for them down the road or at very least, establish himself as a capable AHL quality defenseman. However, barring any trade or signing that reunites him with the Rangers, this pick will pretty much go down as a wash for New York.
2018: 132nd Overall: Lauri Pajuniemi, Right Wing
The second name on this list to remain a relevant part of the organization's current depth charts, the Rangers selected Lauri Pajuniemi with their fifth round pick in 2018. Pajuniemi spent four seasons playing in one of the Finnish Leagues prior to making the transition to North American ice with the Hartford Wolf Pack. In that time, Pajuniemi had back to back seasons with 38 and 40 points, 48 of which resulted from putting the puck in the back of the net. One thing that has been duly noted about this player is the strength in his shot. He’s not a particularly big player but when he’s at his best, he plays the game with a big presence, and for as good as his shot is, he can be an effective playmaker when he gets going. The transition to North America hasn’t been as smooth as anyone might have hoped, but in 51 games with the Pack last season, he managed to put up thirteen goals and assists for a total of 26 points. In the twenty two games he’s played so far this year, he’s found the back of the net six times but only picked up an assist once. With players like Will Cuylee, Bobby Trivigno and more beginning to surpass him a bit in the depth charts, it’s becoming a bit unlikely for Pajuniemi to have a significant future with the Rangers. However, if he continues to contribute and grind away at the AHL level, there is potential for him to have a Jesper Fast type of route to the NHL or at the very least be a Tim Gettinger type of option for the right side.
2019: 130th Overall: Leevi Aaltonen, Left Wing
To be honest, I’m not totally sure what the story is regarding Leevi Aaltonen. I believe the Rangers have until next offseason to sign him before he becomes an unrestricted free agent with the NHL and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what happens. Aaltonen is a smaller player that has good skill and speed but it’s unclear if that’s enough for him to ever make the jump to North America, even at the AHL level. Aaltonen has played in the same league that Lauri Pajuniemi played in in Finland and in going on five years, he has never put up more than ten points. I mentioned several names as players who likely jumped Pajuniemi in the depth charts but the majority of them are preferably left wingers. At least Pajuniemi is a right winger, giving the Rangers options but Aaltonen is primarily a left winger which has him near the bottom of the depth charts, especially at that position. While I’d love to be proven wrong, I don’t see the Rangers having a ton of interest in giving him a contract and wouldn’t be surprised if he heads down the roads of Thomas Spelling and other late round picks we sadly forget about down the line.
2020: 127th & 134th Overall: Evan Vierling, Center and Brett Berard, Left Wing
The Rangers once again had two selections in this draft, this time as a result of sending two seventh rounders to the Sharks in exchange for the fifth round selection that became Evan Vierling. The six foot, left handed shot centerman spent a season and a half with the Flint Firebirds of the OHL before getting traded to the Barrie Colts in his draft year. Since moving to Barrie, Vierling has put up pretty respectable numbers and can very well be on track to join the Hartford Wolf Pack next year if not later this season. Vierling is a strong skater with good speed that can contribute offensively. I can see him becoming a Brett Howden type of player as he’s noted to be at his best when he’s cycling the puck down low, acting as a strong forechecking presence with just as good of a defensive game. Unlike Howden, he wasn’t a first round pick therefore there’s less pressure and less of an expectation for him to become a top-nine kind of player. That being said, he certainly has potential to become a fourth line center down the line and will definitely be worth keeping an eye on as the 20 year old will be AHL eligible moving forward.
Brett Berard may be one of the more exciting names in the Rangers prospect pool and if all goes according to plan, could become a great value pick and potentially, even a steal. Rhode Island native Brett Berard is currently playing NCAA hockey in his home state with Providence College and prior to that was a member of the United States National Development Program, an organization the Rangers have quite the history of drafting out of. Berard had a huge season in Providence last season where he put up 38 points in 36 games, making him well above a point per game player. He’s on pace for similar numbers this season with 15 points in 17 games to start this year and similarly to Vierling, could be a candidate to sign with the Rangers and join the Wolf Pack very soon. Berard, like Aaltonen, is a smaller bodied left winger with good skill and speed. He seems to have more of an explosive offensive ability that is definitely resulting in him standing out more than Aaltonen or any other fifth round picks really have. If all goes well for his development, Berard certainly has potential to be a Carl Hagelin, middle-six type of forward down the line and is already one of the Rangers top prospects to keep an eye on.
2021: 144th Overall: Jaroslav Chmelar, Right Wing
In the second most recent draft year for the Rangers, they selected Jaroslav Chmelar in the fifth round. Chmelar is sort of similar to Lauri Pajuniemi in the sense that he’s a right winger with a big shot however, Chmelar has a couple inches in size on Pajuniemi. Checking in at 6”4, Chmelar definitely has size to his game and that’s always something that’s going to catch the eye of scouts and management. With how recently he was drafted, there isn’t a ton of background to Chmelar’s game. He was drafted out of the Czech Republic and appeared in three games during the 2022 World Juniors where he registered an assist. Since being drafted, he joined Brett Berard at Providence College where he currently has six goals and four assists over 18 games. Chmelar will be 20 next summer so if things continue to go well for him in Providence, he could move to the Wolf Pack perhaps alongside Brett Berard.
2022: 159th & 161st Overall: Vittorio Mancini, Defenseman and Maxim Barbashev, Left Wing
And last but certainly not least, we have Vittorio Mancini and Maxim Barbashev, who the Rangers took in the fifth round of the most recent entry draft. The Rangers made six selections in the most recent entry draft, mainly thanks to the Alexandar Georgiev trade that brought in two thirds and a fifth round pick. With the Rangers own pick, they selected Vittorio Mancini, a USHL product that has spent some time in a Swedish Junior League and is currently playing for the University of Nebraska-Omaha. At 6”4, 215 lbs, the right handed shot defender definitely has the size and stature to catch scouts attention but if you recall back in the early 2010’s, the Rangers drafted a similar player in Sam Noreau. So while he does have the size going for him, he has to find a way to be more of a consistent contributor if he wants to land that entry level deal. At this point, I wouldn’t expect him to be very high on anyone’s radar but if he gets the chance to prove himself in Hartford, there could always be something there, time will tell.
As for Maxim Barbashev, there’s a bit of an upside to his game as he fits the exact mold the Rangers have recently been trying to restock on. Brother of St. Louis Blues forward and Stanley Cup Champion Ivan Barbashev, Maxim plays similarly to his big brother, aggressive and hard. He’s coming off a 46 point season in 59 games with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL and so far, has put up 26 points in 30 games this year. In addition to putting up points, he plays quite physically and battles hard which is exactly the kind of players the Rangers are looking for. Leading up to his draft year, many people thought he could go as high as the fourth round so the Rangers had to have been pleased to see his name still available in the fifth round.
So, What Does This All Mean Exactly?
Obviously looking through all these names that the Rangers called in the fifth round of the last 15 years of NHL Entry Drafts isn’t the most impressive collection of players. However, as it is with any draft, it’s pretty much a crap-shoot, especially in later rounds. While these picks haven’t paid out much for the Rangers over the years, there is always an occasional surprise in the later rounds. After all, Henrik Lundqvkist was drafted in the seventh round of his draft year. Barring any trades, the Rangers won’t pick in next year’s fifth round as they included that pick in the Andrew Copp trade at last year’s deadline. We will have to wait until 2025 to find out what exactly the Ryan Reaves trade will land us (assuming they don’t trade the pick in the meantime) but nevertheless, this was more of a fun (or not so fun) trip down memory lane to recall one round of the last thirteen entry drafts. If you’ve given this whole thing a read I hope you enjoyed!
Chris Feldman
Comments